Also called dreads, it is a style created by allowing the hair to matt into locks.

Although popular myth gives Rastafarians credit for inventing the style, it is almost as old as humanity itself. Dreadlocks or similarly matted styles have been worn from Africa all the way to India, Australia, and even Papua New Guinea.

Indians call them "jata", and they are generally worn by adherents of Shiva.

Some Austro Aboriginies call them "goonut" or "goonat". It was a popular style around the area now known as Botany Bay in pre colonial times.

The term "dreadlocks" being used for this style, however, did originate with the Rastafarian movement. To them it symbolizes many things including the rejection of conventional western mainstream beauty standards, and the dread some may feel when confronted with the true natural self.

There is some debate as to whether matted locks that are "well manicured" should be called dreadlocks, since they are not natty and often require consistent maintenance and a higher degree of perceived vanity.

I need to tighten up my dreadlocks once a month.
You shouldn't pop your dreadlockss when they're dry.

This is a hairstyle popularized by the Rastafarians (Bob Marley for example) but dating back as long as the existence humanity. The idea is to let your hair grow naturally, then braid them into matted "locks", and wear them in a natty and dapper style. The term "dread" is often misunderstood in this sense as meaning terror/fear as it is commonly used today, but it is also archaic term which means "to hold in awe or reverence". The Rastas, as well as other cultures, wear their dreads with pride of their natural roots (symbolized by their hair growing eternally from the mind and soul). The true veneration of growing dreadlocks is the inspiration of a sublime spirituality and respect for one's true self.

Keep your culture, don't be afraid
Of the vulture, grow your dreadlocks
Don't be afraid of the wolfpack

The mentaltrafficjam that arises out of worry. A dreaded futureevent -- report deadline, court appearance, meeting with boss -- is played over and over again in the brain, locking out other, more productive thoughts and often resulting in insomnia and excessive alcohol consumption.

I've been in dreadlock over today's presentation. Are you sure we're ready?

a hairstyle that consists of sections of hair knotted together. some people intentionally "dread" their hair by backcombing or other methods while others allow their locks to form naturally. contrary to popular belief, you can and should wash them, and in fact most people do.

also referred to as simply "dread"

beavertail: when someone has a large massive dread, possibly all their hair in one dreadlock.

An urban hairstyle in which natural hair is twisted or 'locked' in either neat or knotty rope like extensions. ( i.e. Ziggy Marley). Hair is tamed into shaped by a regular process of rolling hair repeatedly between palms or fingers.

"I like me a sexy man with some dreadlocks so I can pull on them and use them like reigns or steering wheels."

Dreadlocks, Dreads short (of dread English = fear) or Filzlocken strands are matted hair of the head.

They can develop under certain circumstances even if the hair for a longer time period is not combed, cut or shaved is that entanglement is, however, usually brought about by artificial means.

Dreadlocks can occur in different shapes, thicknesses and lengths. There are also completely man-made dreadlocks of wool, as the so-called "Silky dreads" are known.

Some Dreadlock-makers (known as Dread-Heads decorate) their hair with various additional jewelry such as beads made of wood, metal or polymer clay or other materials.

Dreadlocks are in Europe and the U.S. usually worn as a fashionable hairstyle. In some cultures, such as the Rastafari, but they can also have religious or spiritual backgrounds.

The terms dreadlocks, Rastafarians or Rastas are often used synonymously with dreadlocks, but can also other hairstyles, such as braided or call Braids Cornrows. The term "part" Rasta "refers here to followers of the Rastafarian culture. Less frequently the term is used Afrolocken since it can easily be confused with the Afro.

In the English language, especially among the Rastafari, the expression of Natty Dreadlocks (is less commonly Knotty dreadlocks) common.